The monastery was founded as a votive offering after Vok I of Rožmberk survived a near-drowning in the Vltava River.
It is the only active Cistercian monastery in the Czech Republic today.
The monastery library holds a collection of 200 medieval manuscripts, some dating back to the 13th century.
The Gothic church interior was remodeled in the 17th century with Baroque altars and stucco work.
The monastery maintains a significant collection of paintings from the 14th-century Master of the Vyšší Brod Cycle.
The Zisterciák brand produces beer brewed on-site, continuing a tradition of monastic brewing.
The monastery was seized by the Nazis in 1941 and later confiscated by the Communist regime in 1950 before being returned to the Order in 1990.
Vyšší Brod Monastery is a working Cistercian abbey founded in 1259 by Vok I of Rožmberk. It serves as the historic burial site for members of the House of Rožmberk, a prominent Bohemian noble family. The monastery complex features a significant library containing over 70,000 volumes, including rare medieval manuscripts. Its Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a prominent example of Gothic architecture. The facility functions as a living monastery, maintaining traditional liturgical life and monastic practices. It houses a collection of Baroque art and historical artifacts within its museum exhibits. The site is located in the Vltava River valley in southern Bohemia. Visitors can access restricted areas via guided tours that cover the main architectural features. The monastery is situated near the Czech-Austrian border, reflecting its historical ties to Central European monastic traditions.
The view of the church exterior from the monastery bridge spanning the Vltava River.
Check the official website for guided tour availability, as the historical interiors are generally not accessible without a guide.
Allow extra time to walk through the monastery gardens and view the outer fortifications.
Wear comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestone paths within the complex.
Do not attempt to enter private monastic quarters that are marked off-limits to visitors.
Tours are generally suspended during the winter season; the monastery remains active as a religious site throughout the year.
Maintain silence inside the church; photography is often restricted inside the library and private areas.
